President Shimon Peres was scheduled to present the Wolf Prizes at
the Knesset on Sunday, but following surgery on his return to Israel
on Friday, it is unlikely that he will be considered sufficiently fit
to attend the event.

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It is a tradition for the President of the State to present the Wolf
Prize laureates with their awards.

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During his state visit to Canada last week, Peres complained of
stomach pains and was diagnosed with a hernia. Peres was treated by
his personal physicians Prof. Rafi Walden who also happens to be his
son-in-law, and because his condition was not considered to be
sufficiently serious to warrant cutting short his schedule, he
continued with all the events on his itinerary as if nothing were
amiss.

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On his return to Israel, Peres underwent a successful operation at
Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

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Peres is expected to be released from hospital some time on Sunday.

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Although Peres is a quick healer who in the past has stayed away from
his duties for only a day or two in deference to his health, it is
unlikely that he will attend the Wolf Prize ceremony on Sunday
evening.

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According to law, when the president is out of the country or in any
way incapacitated, the Knesset speaker takes over the presidential
duties.

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Next to the Israel Prize, which with extremely rare exceptions is
awarded only to Israelis, the Wolf Prize is Israel´s highest form of
recognition - albeit not monetarily. From a monetary perspective the
Dan David Prize of $1 million is worth considerably more than the
$100,000 given to Wolf Prize recipients and like the Wolf Prize is
awarded to both Israelis and non-Israelis.

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Inaugurated in 1978, the Wolf Prize is awarded annually by the Wolf
Foundation that was established in 1975 by Dr. Ricardo Wolf, a German-
born inventor and a former ambassador of Cuba to Israel. It is
awarded in the categories of Agriculture , Chemistry, Mathematics,
Medicine and Physics to outstanding scientists “for their unique
contribution in the interest of mankind and brotherhood among
nations, irrespective of nationality, race, color, religion, sex, or
political views.”

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There is also an arts prize that rotates between the fields of
architecture, music, painting and sculpture. This year´s arts prize
is in the sphere of music, and although the winners, internationally
acclaimed tenor Placido Domingo (whose career started in Israel) and
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Sir Simon Rattle, will have
their names announced they will not receive their awards till next
year. More than a third of the recipients of Wolf Prizes have
subsequently been awarded Nobel Prizes. The Wolf Prizes bring great
honor to the State of Israel said Education Minister Gideon Saar, who
will be among the dignitaries sharing the dais with Peres.